Silver Alert program designed to find at-risk seniors

Lt. Gary Sheahan of the Two Rivers Police Department opens up a link to the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network which has recently added a Silver Alert program to find missing senior adults who have Alzheimer’s, dementia or other permanent cognitive impairments.
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Suzanne Weiss/HTR Media
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Wisconsin law enforcement officers now have another way to find missing senior adults who have Alzheimer's, dementia or other permanent cognitive impairments.

Part of the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network, the Silver Alert program went into effect in August to help protect the at-risk or vulnerable senior population.

Silver Alerts go out by email, text message or fax to notify the public of a missing individual. Anyone may subscribe online for free.

Will help local law enforcement

"I do think it's a good idea," said Detective Chris Bessler with the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office, which has been taking advantage of the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network, but has not yet used the Silver Alerts.

"Some years ago, in the very bitter cold, an elderly man who had Alzheimer's had walked out of a family gathering unnoticed. It was dark and very, very cold weather. He was fortunately located by law enforcement. Had he not been found when he had been, the results could have been dire. He was treated at the hospital and was fine," she said.

"Sometimes, people with dementia leave the county. Their perception is off. They're confused and take a detour on the highway and do not get to their destination," Bessler said.

"If they do leave Manitowoc County, this is a quick and effective way to incorporate the public and other law enforcement agencies ... especially when everyone is using cellphones and listening to the radio, the dissemination of this information can put us quickly in touch with the public," she said.

"Another example might be someone who sees someone who is driving erratically and appears to be lost. They hear it on the radio or see it in a text. That person can immediately call law enforcement. It's a great tool for the public to use with law enforcement," Bessler said.

She advised families with elderly members who are suffering from dementia to have a recent photo of that person as well as their vehicle and license plate information, if they're still driving, to help law enforcement in the search.

Medical information will be needed by law enforcement but will not be made public, Bessler said.

Putting a readily identifiable decal or bumper sticker on the vehicle also makes it easier to pick out, she said.

Time is of essence

"With any missing person, time is of essence. I would encourage people to do it as quickly as possible. Don't wait 24 hours. Call law enforcement. Let us get the information out. I think the success rate and the safety of the person is increased," Bessler said.

"It's good news that we haven't had to use (Silver Alerts), but I anticipate using it. It's not uncommon (for a person with dementia) to go out for walk and getting turned around," she said.

"I think it's a valuable tool which can reach out to more people more quickly to keep our vulnerable seniors safe," said Lt. Gary Sheahan of the Two Rivers Police Department.

A number of years ago an elderly man suffering from dementia drove to Two Rivers from southern Wisconsin, he said.

"When they're in that condition, they have difficulty communicating and telling us where they're from," Sheahan said. "Something like the Silver Alert would help us more quickly reunite them with family."

The advantage of the system is that the message is disseminated in so many ways, said Detective Michael Stone of the Manitowoc Police Department. "It's very similar to Amber Alert when we're looking for an endangered child."

First Silver Alert activated in August

The Wisconsin Department of Justice activated its first Silver Alert on Aug. 8 at the request of the Menomonee Falls Police Department. An individual was reported to have gone to a local gas station but didn't return home. The alert was canceled within hours after the individual had been located and was safe, according to a news release from Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen.

In partnership with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, the Outdoor Advertising Association of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Silver Alerts may be broadcast through television and radio, digital billboards and lottery display terminals. Alerts also may be displayed on highway digital messaging signs through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, said the release.

Silver Alerts will be issued when the following criteria are met:

• The missing person is 60 years of age or older;

• The missing person is believed to have Alzheimer's, dementia or another permanent cognitive impairment that poses a threat to the individual's health and safety;

• There is reasonable belief that the missing person's disappearance is due to the individual's impaired cognitive condition;

• The Silver Alert request is made within 72 hours of the individual's disappearance;

• There is sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the missing person.

Because Alzheimer's and dementia are not limited to those 60 and older, some individuals who are missing and at risk do not meet the criteria for a Silver Alert, but the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network can be used to send out a missing/endangered alert.

Since the WCAN became operational three years ago, almost 5,000 alerts have gone out, assisting law enforcement statewide in solving more than 50 criminal cases and missing or endangered persons investigations, according to the news release.

The public and businesses can sign up to receive Silver Alerts and Crime Alerts at no cost by going to www.wisconsincrimealert.gov.

Suzanne Weiss: skweiss@htrnews.com or (920) 686-2140

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Lt. Gary Sheahan of the Two Rivers Police Department opens up a link to the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network which has recently added a Silver Alert program to find missing senior adults who have Alzheimer’s, dementia or other permanent cognitive impairments.
(Photo:
Suzanne Weiss/HTR Media
)